After tumbling to its first conference title in school history, the New London-Spicer gymnastics team now has its sights set on an even bigger prize ... a berth in the Class A state tournament.
The Wildcats, unbeaten in 10 dual meets, have been averaging just over 136 for a team score this season, including a season-best 141 against Benson/KMS. Melrose has had a stranglehold on the West Central Conference and the Section 5A title for 16 straight years.
Now might be the time for New London-Spicer to loosen the Dutchmen's grip. The Wildcats outpointed Melrose 136.8-128.5 in the season opener. Melrose had a season-best 138.7 in its last match Jan. 23.
"Our girls have a lot of determination," said New London-Spicer coach Cindy Jacobson. "They all came in this year with one goal ... to make it to the state tournament."
The Wildcats recently competed in the True Team State Tournament in New Prague as one of the top Class A teams based on average scores. Although the Wildcats only placed eighth, they learned they can compete with the top teams.
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"We have very hard working girls," said Jacobson a Willmar graduate, who is in her second year as coach at NLS after coaching the previous 13 years at Litchfield. "There are very few times when I have to tell them to get to work. When we get some advice from a judge, the girls take it to heart. They've really improved a lot."
Jacki Imdieke has been the top all-around performer this season for the Wildcats. She and Courtney Edwards, who also competes in all-around, are the lone seniors on the team. Juniors Gina Bruns and Wendy Toops are also all-around performers.
"Beam is our strongest event," said Jacobson. "Alexis (Score) had a made a big difference for us since she came back. That's her strongest event."
Score, a junior, competed in the first meet of the season on Dec. 1, then was diagnosed with non-lymphoma Hodgkin's Disease, and returned to the team Jan. 12. She is taking oral chemotherapy and is getting stronger every day. Jacobson is hoping Score will be able to also compete on floor exercise by sectionals Feb. 17 in Becker.
Junior Anna Benson competes on bars and vault, sophomore Abby Tanner on vault and floor, sophomore Natasha Hanson on bars and freshman Hillary Brink on beam and floor.
The team has broken numerous school records in the past two seasons, including a school-record 142.24 team score last year.
The Wildcats will get a chance to see how they stack up against Melrose again at the conference meet Feb. 10 in Morris. And then it will be the sectionals the following weekend.
